PLAYWRIGHTS Ian Hislop and Nick Newman took the script that they part-wrote for the Hollywood film A Bunch of Amateurs, starring Burt Reynolds, and turned it into a stage play, which has been chosen as the spring production for Frome Drama Club, at the Merlin Theatre from 25th to 27th April.

The two hugely talented and funny men turned a moderately successful movie into a mainstay of the amateur stage. And why not? It is very, very funny and it celebrates both the talent and creativity of the am dram scene and the pompous scenery-chewing vanity of blockbuster “stars.”

A washed-up Hollywood star is flown to England to play the title role in King Lear at “Stratford” believing he will be appearing onstage at the legendary Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Instead he finds he has signed on with the “Stratford Players” in the Suffolk village of Stratford St John. Cue a lot of misunderstandings, dented egos and multiple-role acting!

The production is directed by Richard Wright, in his debut with Frome Drama Club. Jefferson Steel is played by Michael Hoskinson, with Katherine Symonds-Moore as Dorothy, James Moore as Nigel, Becki Bradley as Mary, Tabitha Bradley as Jessica, Stephen East as Dennis, Daisy Dugmore as Lauren and Kara Mia Vernon as the stage manager.

Pictured is a rehearsal shot showing Michael Hoskinson (Jefferson Steel) carrying Katherine Symonds-Moore (Dorothy) with James Moore and Becki Bradley in the background.